2002
Neil MacDonald CM MD FRCP(C) FRCP(Edin) LLD - Canada
Dr. MacDonald was born in Calgary, Alberta, and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto and his medical degree at McGill University, completing post-graduate studies at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. In the mid sixties he joined the attending staff of the Royal Victoria Hospital where he developed the Oncology Day Centre. In the latter years of that decade he served as an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill.
In 1971 Dr. MacDonald returned to Alberta as Executive Director of the Provincial Cancer Hospitals Board (1971–1975) and as Director of Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute (1971–1987). He later took on additional responsibilities as Director of the Division of Oncology for the University of Alberta (1975– 1987). He was named Professor of Palliative Medicine and recipient of one of the first Canadian Chairs in the field in 1987. In 1994 he returned to Montreal as Director of the Cancer Ethics Programme within the Centre for Bioethics, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (1994-2002).
He has been an active participant in the American Society of Clinical Oncology which he served as both Chairman of the Finance Committee and Secretary Treasurer. Dr. MacDonald has also served as the President of the Canadian Oncology Society and has contributed to the Canadian Cancer Society as a member of its National Board, Chairman of the National Service to Patient Committee, Chairman of the Joint-Committee on International Affairs and Society Vice-President. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society and a past President of the Edmonton Academy of Medicine.
In 1980–1981 Dr. MacDonald spent a sabbatical year in Palliative Medicine at McGill University, then returned to Edmonton where he examined methods of integrating palliative care programs into oncology services. He is the editor of the Canadian Palliative Care Curriculum for undergraduate medical education and co-editor of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. Dr. MacDonald served as the president of the Protem Board of the newly-formed Canadian Society for Palliative Care Physicians in 1993–1994.
In 1990–1991 Dr. MacDonald worked as a Medical Officer at the World Health Organization Cancer Palliative Care Unit in Geneva assisting the Unit with the development of palliative care policies and educational programmes. He presently acts as a WHO-Cancer and Palliative Care Unit liaison officer for Canada.
Recent national activities include service as chair of the Medical Research Council Standing Committee on Ethics (1998-2000) and membership on the Institutional Advisory Board (Cancer) CIHR.
Dr. MacDonald received an Alberta Achievement Award in 1980 and a City of Edmonton Achievement Award in 1994. In 1995 Dr. MacDonald was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and, in 1996, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Calgary.
He is currently Director of the McGill Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation Programme, Department of Oncology, McGill University.
